great
Usage
What are other ways to say great?
In reference to the size and extent of concrete objects, great is highly formal and even poetic, suggesting also that the object is notable or imposing, large is only somewhat formal, and big is the most general and most colloquial word: a great oak; a large tree; a big tree; great plains; a large field; a big field. When the reference is to degree or a quality, great is the usual word: great beauty; great mistake; great surprise; although big sometimes alternates with it in colloquial style: a big mistake; a big surprise; large is usually not used in reference to degree, but may be used in a quantitative reference: a large number (great number).
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“They’re not investing millions of dollars for fun and for free because they think these candidates are going to be great city attorneys ... they are expecting a return on investment,” Feldstein Soto said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
Birds of Poole Harbour, the conservation charity leading the reintroduction scheme, said it was a "great start to what will hopefully be another big successful year".
From BBC • May 23, 2026
Ahead of the trip, Rubio called India a "great ally, great partner" and said the United States would be looking to find ways to sell it more oil.
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
It’s great for dinner parties or a casual happy hour snack and will have everyone thinking you paid for catering.
From Salon • May 22, 2026
To my great relief, and to her obvious delight, it was Karl.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Vocabulary lists containing great
Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice 1, Unit 5
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